TEACHERS and pupils from across East Renfrewshire will be asked for their views on the cancellation of exams due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Education Secretary John Swinney announced last month that this year's exam diet will be cancelled due to the pandemic.

Guidance from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) shows teachers will now be responsible for the grades of their pupils.

Holyrood's Education and Skills Committee announced plans this week to hold a number of focus groups with teachers, while the Scottish Youth Parliament, Youthlink and YoungScot are canvassing opinions from pupils.

Representatives from the SQA will appear before the committee on Friday during its first virtual session.

Committee convener Clare Adamson said: "We have seen communities come together in support of each other and friends and families connect in new ways but we cannot ignore the impact that the current measures will be having on some of the most vulnerable children.

"Those living in poverty and deprivation, as well as those with additional support needs, may not be getting the support and services they most desperately need.

"Our committee wants to find out what more needs to be done to ensure that none of these children's needs are missed as a result of this crisis.

"We also cannot forget that, for some young people, it feels like their futures have changed beyond imagination.

"There is uncertainty and fear about what the cancellation of the 2020 exams means for them."

Alongside its work on vulnerable young people and the cancellation of exams, the committee will also look into the impact on colleges and universities of funding gaps caused by the pandemic.

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